SEATTLE -- There is no doubt senior flanker James Rodgers
is the emotional leader of the Oregon State football team.

Earlier in the week, Beavers coach Mike Riley said that if he had it his
way, Rodgers -- who was lost for the season when he tore ligaments in
his left knee last week against Arizona -- would make every road trip,
just to raise team morale.

Unfortunately for Riley and the team, the Pacific-10 Conference limits
the travel roster to 70 players, and Riley said he would not want to
give Rodgers a spot and sacrifice someone who could potentially play. So
Rodgers drove himself.

Rodgers, who entered Husky Stadium to a standing ovation Saturday night,
didn't actually do the driving from Corvallis to Seattle, but he rode
shotgun with a friend to make sure he was on the sideline for emotional
support. Teammates patted his head and high-fived him as they ran onto
the field, and more than one shouted out, "This one's for you, baby!" as
they ran by James.

Rodgers said he needed to be at the game "just to encourage my teammates" and that his knee felt good, all things considered.

"I'm still a player," Rodgers said. "I'm going to be on the sideline."

Riley hugged Rodgers before kickoff telling him, "I'm glad you're here," and then warned him to "Be careful!" on the sideline.